NBA DFS DraftKings.com & FanDuel.com Lineups & Picks for January 12, 2018
For the 1/12 NBA DFS slate, and for the rest of the fantasy basketball season, we’ll be writing up the best picks for guards, forwards, and centers we’re considering for Cash and GPP lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel. The info below can also be used for crafting your strategy on Draft DFS and Draftboard DFS.
Please note the advice below is relevant for daily fantasy purposes. A player or team might be better or worse from a fantasy perspective than in real life due to matchup, price, and lots of other factors. This is important to consider when constructing a roster.
Injuries play a huge role in NBA DFS on a nightly basis, and value plays at the various daily fantasy sites can arise at a moment’s notice. Always, always check the starting lineups and injury news right before tipoff.
1/12/18 NBA DFS TOURNAMENT PICKS
Excellent 8’s: $8 buy-in, $350k guaranteed (DraftKings)
Spin Move: $44 buy-in, $200k guaranteed (DraftKings)
Sharpshooter: $3 buy-in, $110k guaranteed (DraftKings)
Layup: $9 buy-in, $99k guaranteed (FanDuel)
Clutch Shot: $4 buy-in, $300k guaranteed (FanDuel)
Slam: $33 buy-in, $150k guaranteed (FanDuel)
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PLAYERS RULED OUT
James Harden (hamstring)
Paul Millsap (wrist)
Rudy Gobert (knee)
D’Angelo Russell (knee)
Nikola Vucevic (hand)
Mike Conley (Achilles)
Marquese Chriss (hip)
INJURY NEWS TO MONITOR
Steph Curry (ankle)
Anthony Davis (ankle)
Damian Lillard (calf)
Tim Hardaway Jr. (leg)
Myles Turner (elbow)
Derrick Favors (ankle)
Dewayne Dedmon (leg)
DeMarre Carroll (knee)
Taurean Prince (finger)
Best NBA DFS Picks for January 12, 2018
Guards
Chris Paul @ PHO ($10.6k DraftKings, $10.8k FanDuel)
Chris Paul is not only carrying the Rockets’ elite offense with James Harden (hamstring) on the shelf but also doing it with his trademark feisty attitude. Paul capped a 37-point, 11-assist gem on Wednesday with a lay-up at the buzzer. And he had no issue beefing with Damian Lillard after the game. Clearly playing with an edge, the Rockets’ floor general will look to abuse the Suns’ inexperienced backcourt. Phoenix coughs up the fourth-most FPPG (47.98) to opposing PGs this season. He’s now rocking a 32 percent usage rate and averaging 1.65 FPs per minute with Harden off the floor this season. Paul is a highly recommended Cash play in a plus matchup.
John Wall vs. ORL ($9.4k DraftKings, $10.3k FanDuel)
Orlando’s defense has been an easy target all season for opposing players. That’s especially true for capable PGs, as the Magic coughs up the most FPPG (50.59) to that position this season. As healthy as he’s been all season, John Wall is coming off a season-high 35 points in a loss to Utah. He’s a contrarian option at a slightly cheaper price tag compared to Paul. Wall torched the Magic with averages of 32.3 PPG and 9.3 APG while shooting 51.5 percent from the field over three meetings last year. Orlando’s defense has only devolved since, giving up the most made FGs (41.7) and third-most APG (24.6) this year.
Malcolm Brogdon vs. GSW ($5.5k DraftKings, $5.6k FanDuel)
The Warriors don’t seem like a team to target, but their backcourt has struggled defensively lately and could continue to do so with Steph Curry (ankle) expected to sit tonight. Malcolm Brogdon is coming off one of his best performances of the year with 14 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists against Orlando. He could keep rolling in a matchup with the small-ball Warriors tonight. Milwaukee loves to play hybrid lineups with multiple guards to move Giannis Antetokounmpo into the PF slot. Brogdon’s benefitted within that system with double-digit points in 12 of his last 13 appearances.
Others to consider: Victor Oladipo, Jamal Murray, Eric Bledsoe, Elfrid Payton, Mario Hezonja, Caris LeVert
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Forwards
Kevin Durant @ MIL ($10.2k DraftKings, $10.6k FanDuel)
The Warriors’ superstars are conveniently trading turns carrying the offensive load. Kevin Durant returned Wednesday right as Steph Curry suffered an ankle injury prior to a tilt against the Clippers. Curry is doubtful to play tonight, which gives Durant a serious boost since he’s boasting a 35.3 percent usage rate and averaging 1.49 FPs per minute when Steph is off the floor this season. KD looked very sharp while dropping 40 points on 14-of-18 FG shooting in his return Wednesday. He should have another big game against a Bucks team that ranks 25th in defensive rating and dead last in total rebounding this year.
Domantas Sabonis vs. CLE ($6.4k DraftKings, $7.1k FanDuel)
With Myles Turner (elbow) ruled out for at least another game, Domantas Sabonis earns another shot to exceed value after a disappointing line on Wednesday. He only managed 18 points and seven rebounds against a tough Miami defense. The second-year man dealt with foul trouble in that contest but should play more minutes tonight against a Cavs team that loves to shoot jumpers and play small ball. That style negates the need for a true center on either side of the ball. Sabonis went for 15 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists with Turner out in a win over Cleveland at the beginning of the season. He could thrive in this matchup again.
Michael Beasley @ MIN ($5.9k DraftKings, $7.3k FanDuel)
Apparently not hampered by his ankle injury at all, Michael Beasley played a whopping 39 minutes on Wednesday and produced 26 points and 12 rebounds to exceed value by a wide margin. He’s a very solid mid-tier play with upside tonight against a Wolves team that ranks dead last in opponent 2PT FG percentage (.535) this year. Jimmy Butler could switch onto Beasley at times, but he’ll otherwise work against slower PFs in Taj Gibson and Gorgui Dieng or a notably poor defender in Andrew Wiggins. We know he’s not afraid to fire way in an effort to carry the Knicks’ sputtering offense.
Others to consider: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Draymond Green, T.J. Warren, Gerald Green, Trey Lyles, Al-Farouq Aminu, Joe Harris, Kristaps Porzingis
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Center
DeMarcus Cousins vs. POR ($10.8k DraftKings, $11.0k FanDuel)
A highly recommended stud if Anthony Davis (ankle) misses another game, DeMarcus Cousins draws a much easier matchup tonight after producing 29 points, eight rebounds, and three assists against his old nemesis Marc Gasol on Wednesday. Jusuf Nurkic is nowhere near the defender Gasol is, and Cousins has abused him with averages of 36.2 PPG and 10.2 RPG on 50.8 percent FG shooting over his last five meetings with Portland. He’s been even more prolific at home with averages of 26.6 PPG, 13.2 RPG, and 5.4 APG this season and could sway GPPs tonight if he produces a huge line.
Dwight Howard vs. UTA ($7.3k DraftKings, $8.8k FanDuel)
Bet on Dwight Howard for a double-double and a solid Cash play at a reasonable price tonight. Utah’s giving up the fourth-most FPPG (55.25) to opposing centers over the last month and is clearly missing Rudy Gobert (knee). They could be without Derrick Favors (ankle) as well, in which case Ekpe Udoh would become a viable punt play. Howard’s only played once over the last week, and the veteran big man tends to provide much improved effort as a scorer and rebounder when rested.
Others to consider: Marc Gasol, Kevin Love, Clint Capela, Jusuf Nurkic, Tyson Chandler
